The following is an open letter for anyone who attended the National Secondary Schools Basketball Championships this week. It regards a confirmed case of measles in someone who attended the tournament earlier this week.
04 October 2019
To whom it may concern
I am writing to you as I understand you attended the Secondary Schools National Championship Basketball Tournament at some stage between 30 September and 2 October. A person who attended this tournament at the same time as you has since been diagnosed with measles. This person was infectious while attending and so you have been identified as a contact of this person with measles.
Who is at risk of getting measles?
People most at risk of getting measles are those who have not had the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (see chart below).
Who is NOT thought to be at risk?
- Anyone born before 1 January 1969 is highly likely to be immune to measles.
- Anyone who has had two doses of a measles vaccine (MMR) is highly likely to be immune.
- Anyone who has had measles in the past is highly likely to be immune.
Measles symptoms
The early symptoms of measles include any of these: fever, runny nose, cough, sore red eyes, loss of appetite, and sometimes diarrhoea and vomiting. After a few days, a red blotchy rash appears and lasts up to one week. The rash usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
What you are required to do
Symptoms of measles usually start 7 to 14 days after being infected, so I ask you to look out for any of the possible symptoms of measles from Monday 7 October up to and including Monday 14 October 2019.
If you are not immune to measles (see chart over page) please stay in home isolation from Monday 7 October up to and including Monday 14 October 2019.
Home isolation means staying at home, avoiding gatherings and staying away from public places (such as school, work, childcare, shopping centres, church, sports events or public transport).
If you think, you may have possible symptoms of measles, stay at home and phone you family doctor to alert them of your symptoms so that they can arrange to assess you safely and without infecting other people. If you have specific concerns, such as if you are pregnant or have a wakened immune system, please contact you family doctor for advice.
Thank you for your support with helping to prevent the spread of measles.
Kind regards
Dr Rob Weir
Medical Officer of Health
How to know if you or your child is immune to measles and what to do
| Type of contact | Risk and action |
| Children who have not yet had any doses of MMR vaccine (normally MMR vaccine is given at 15 months and again at 4 years) | You are NOT immune and are at risk of becoming sick with measles.
You need to be in home isolation * (for dates shown over the page) |
| Anyone born after 1 January 1969 who has not had any doses of MMR vaccine or previous measles confirmed by a doctor | You are NOT immune and are at risk of becoming sick with measles.
You need to be in home isolation * (for dates shown over the page) |
| Children and adults who have had only one dose of MMR vaccine | You are advised to phone your family doctor to discuss vaccination. You may already be immune but require a second MMR dose, at least four weeks after the first does, for full protection. You should have the second dose when possible. You are not required to be in home isolation but should be especially vigilant for any of the early symptoms of measles. If you develop any symptoms, you must stay at home and call your family doctor for advice. |
| Children and adults who have had two documented doses of measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine | You are immune. No home isolation or further action is required. |
| Adults born before 1 January 1969 | You are considered to be immune. No home isolation or further action is required. |
*Note: Home isolation means staying at home, avoiding gathering and staying away from public places (such as School, work, childcare, shopping centres, church, sports events or public transport). Please also avoid having visitors that are not immune.
If you have any queries about this letter or want more advice you may contact MidCentral Public Health Staff on 06 350 9110
